While rookies are the hot topic this time of year, it’s important to zero in on those that are going to be relevant in redraft leagues. Let’s take a look at redraft-relevant 2022 rookies in superflex leagues, including rankings and player notes.

• Top Redraft-Relevant Rookie Rankings & Player Notes: Running Backs
• Top Redraft-Relevant Rookie Rankings & Player Notes: Wide Receivers

Player rankings based on our redraft Expert Consensus Rankings for half-PPR leagues.

Top Redraft-Relevant Rookie Rankings & Player Notes: Quarterbacks

Kenny Pickett (PIT): QB32
Kenny Pickett gets the draft capital we covet in dynasty going in the first round. The Pitt product stays close to his alma mater with the landing spot with the Steelers. Pickett should compete for the starting job in camp with Mitch Trubisky in a system that should highlight their mobility in the pocket. If he can overcome the yips against pressure behind a still leaky offensive line, Pickett could return mid to low-end QB2 numbers with a talented set of pass-catchers, including Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and Pat Freiermuth around him.

Desmond Ridder (ATL): QB36
Desmond Ridder falls in the same third-round bucket as Malik Willis and Matt Corral from this class. Marcus Mariota might have been signed as the team’s bridge quarterback option, but that doesn’t wipe Ridder off the map to possibly win the job out of camp. The draft capital doesn’t ensure he’ll be given that shot, but Arthur Smith knows Mariota quite well from their time in Tennessee. If Smith thinks Ridder can bring something more to the table or operate similarly to Mariota, he could win the starting call. Smith’s love for play-action passing will help Ridder. Last year Matt Ryan ranked 11th in play-action dropback rate (minimum 200 dropbacks, per PFF). In 2021, Ridder was tied for 17th in play-action passing touchdowns out of 121 qualifying quarterbacks (minimum 200 dropbacks, per PFF).

Matt Corral (CAR): QB37
Among the quarterbacks drafted in the third round in the NFL Draft, Matt Corral could have the easiest path to playing time in year one. Sam Darnold flopped as a reclamation project last season in Carolina. Matt Rhule is firmly parked on the hot seat at the moment. At best, rolling it back with Darnold in 2022 feels like a shaky proposition. Rhule needs this team to take a step forward and possibly contend (or make) for the playoffs to add some length to his leash. Corral has his question marks with erratic deep accuracy and residing from an RPO and first read-heavy scheme at Ole Miss. If he can show even a glimmer of promise in camp or the preseason, Corral could be under center Week 1 instead of the long-time Ghostbuster’s intern, Darnold.

Malik Willis (TEN): QB39
The fall from draft capital grace was tough to watch for Malik Willis. I could easily rant here about how NFL teams are foolish for passing on his moon-shot traits, but I’ll save that for another day. Despite falling to the third round, Willis still has a path to play as early as next season. Ryan Tannehill will be entering his age 35 season in 2023, and the Titans can save nearly 18 million against the cap if they were to cut him. The upside with Willis is immense just off of his rushing ability alone. While Tannehill won’t be mentoring Willis, it might not stop this talented rookie from taking his job.

Sam Howell (WAS): QB45
Sleepy Sam Howell fell into the black abyss that is the fifth round of the NFL Draft. While Carson Wentz could be a lost cause as an above-average or even serviceable quarterback, Howell will have considerable work to win a starting shot. Taylor Heinicke played at a level last season to where the Commanders were able to compete. While he’s definitely not their long-term answer either and an unrestricted free agent in 2023, he poses competition for Howell this year even if the team decided to bench Wentz. Because of the wretched draft capital and questionable path to playing time, Howell has considerably fallen down my rookie and dynasty ranks.

FantasyPros Staff Consensus 2022 Redraft Fantasy Football Rankings